There is much talk today in the media and amongst friends of the need for people to be more tolerant. Tolerance is a word that is defined differently by different people. Webster’s dictionary reflects this difference in meaning. The first definition for tolerance relates to the capacity to endure pain or hardship.

The key word here is endure. The second definition is a sympathy for or indulgence of beliefs and practices which are different from one’s own. To my way of thinking, these are two very different ways of thinking about tolerance. I see it most clearly when I think of myself and the degree to which I want people to tolerate me.

I am not a big fan of people enduring other people. That sounds so negative and painful. And I would never want to have it said of me that someone had to endure my presence. That does not seem a loving way to express one’s self toward others. And I cannot see Jesus saying of another person, “Well, I tolerate them, I endure their presence.”

I propose that we change the language that we use relative to those who believe and act differently than we do, and I will express these ideas from a Bible based Christ centered point of view as best as I can.

The Bible tells us that God is love and that love is patient. God’s patience is fundamental to the continued existence of all mankind.

Immediate judgement is the alternative to His patience and repentance and faith are the ultimate reward of His patience.

I believe as followers of Jesus Christ, Christians should reflect this same attitude. We are called upon to be patient with people.

Patience is one of those class of virtues that requires a negative circumstance in order to be demonstrated. If you are being patient, it is because you are also being irritated or disappointed by someone.

Patience is an aspect of love and it is a character quality of a mature person. We certainly do not want to be impatient do we?

And yet, I would wager that we also would not want the irritations in life that require patience to be practiced. One cannot have one without the other. So, we should be careful to be patient with other people. Again, the reason we should do this is because God is patient toward us.

The second character quality that I believe can be used instead of tolerance and alongside of patience is respect. Respect is something that we all desire, but do not necessarily give freely. Respect is defined as an act of giving particular attention and or a high or special regard. Synonyms for particular attention and special regard are consideration and esteem. All people are worthy of and deserving of respect. Even those who behave very badly.

We prove this in the value placed on human life over against other kinds of life. We respect the image of God in people. This is what the Bible tells us when it explains why it is not OK to murder people.

The image of God in man is what gives us our unique value. And this image is resident in all people whether or not they believe or act as I think they should. People are worthy of respect. When I think about my friends who believe differently than I do and why we are friends to begin with, this is the first issue that comes to mind. They respect me, and I respect them, therefore we have a basis for a relationship.

With these ideas of patience and respect in mind, I wish to consider our current political situation and the tenor of discourse that is reflected in the media and in the politicians that we see and hear. I do not hear much respect.

I do not hear much patience. Instead I hear much disrespect, and even lies from both sides of the political spectrum.

Romans 13 gives us the following directive concerning our lives and government:

7) Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

8) Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

I always have to remind myself that the Apostle Paul is writing this to Christians who lived in Rome and that he was killed by that very Roman government less than 10 years later.

Paul tells us, to give honor and respect to those who are in authority over us and that we owe that to them. And then he says that the only debt that we cannot fully pay is the debt to love. It continues on and on.

And as we have said previously, love is patient.

And so, I do not ask that you merely tolerate me. Please be patient with me and respect the image of God resident in me.

I will do the same for you. And in the process we should be able to live more peaceably together in the future.